Babar Azam, the distinguished captain of the Pakistan cricket team, has recently showcased his batting prowess, notching up impressive performances during the One-Day International (ODI) series against South Africa. Though his contributions have been notable, they come as part of a disheartening calendar year for the prolific batsman who has failed to reach the three-figure mark so far.
During the third ODI at the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, Babar scored 52 runs, marking his 34th half-century and the second consecutive fifty in the series. This match has special significance as it was part of Pakistan's 3-0 series victory, which includes two earlier matches where he had also displayed commendable form.
Babar's innings began under challenging circumstances. After Pakistani opener Abdullah Shafique fell for a duck on only the second ball, the seasoned batter arrived at the crease early, determining to steady the ship. Batting at number three, he quickly established momentum, partnering with the talented Saim Ayub to resurrect the innings. The duo collaborated for 114 runs for the third wicket, lifting Pakistan's score from 1-1 to 115-2 before Babar's dismissal.
His exit came courtesy of South African teenager Kwena Maphaka, who dazzled the crowd with his competitive bowling performance. Babar, trying to play a pull shot, found himself caught by David Miller at short midwicket, ending his innings after 71 balls, with seven boundaries gracing the scorecard.
Despite his solid performances throughout the series, Babar Azam's 2024 ODI campaign has taken on historical significance. Notably, it is the first year since his debut season back in 2015 where the cricketer will conclude the year without having scored any centuries. This marks a sharp decline from previous years where he consistently made headlines for his scoring feats.
To put this challenging year for Babar in perspective, between 2016 and 2023, he registered 19 ODI centuries, proving himself as one of the most prolific batsmen globally. His form has noticeably dipped, as he scored only 228 runs across six innings for the year, averaging 57, which, on the surface, appears decent but lacks the defining centuries associated with his career.
Head coach and selectors have acknowledged Babar's ability, but they remain concerned about the consistency and converting fifties to hundreds. Analysts have suggested this inconsistency may stem from external pressure, as well as the psychological weight of expectations as he remains integral to the team’s batting lineup.
His ODI statistics are impressive nonetheless. Following his performances against South Africa, Babar has accumulated 5,957 runs at an average of 56.73. This includes his 34 half-centuries and 19 centuries across 119 ODIs. Against South Africa alone, he has scored 721 runs at an average of 60.08, highlighting his personal success against this opponent.
Mashrafe Mortaza, former captain and Bangladeshi cricket legend, mentioned, “Babar’s technique is impeccable; he has all the shots, but he needs to simplify his game and trust his instincts.” This advice resonates, especially during times of hardship, and could be pivotal as he looks to regain his form.
The pressure, meanwhile, continues to mount as the cricketing world eagerly anticipates whether Babar can turn the tide before the end of the year, with him still having matches lined up. There is hope for redemption, and many analysts suggest he might just find his footing again.
While one might perceive his season as disappointing based on the average statistics, the tendency for players to rebound from such slumps is prevalent across the sport. Babar's previous performances demonstrate resilience, which many hope will manifest again soon.
Looking to the future, the Pakistan cricket team is gearing up for the Champions Trophy 2025, where Babar Azam's form and prowess will be put to the ultimate test against top-tier international teams. His strengths as a batsman have already proven invaluable to Pakistan’s cricketing success, and as such, all eyes will be fixed upon his performances leading up to, and during, this important competition.
For Babar and his supporters, the coming months are not just pivotal for his personal achievements but will also shape the future narrative of Pakistan cricket itself. With recent performances being highlights even amid challenges, the cricketing community remains optimistic about his continued contributions to the game.
